Chapter Text
You looked up at the tall man in robes as your parents discussed with him. You sat there patiently; silently listening. "Are you sure it is okay if y/n stays here for a while? We just don't like leaving her for long periods of time."
"Yes, I can rest assure you that it is fine. Even though we usually don't let outsiders stay here there may be exceptions due to such dedication and our close relations. It is good that both companies remain close. You daughter and mine would be very good company for one another. Perhaps your daughter will toughen Hinata up." He chuckled quietly. To you this place seemed strange. Sure you were wealthy but not even your parents made you act THIS proper. Sighing to yourself you all bowed to each other. "Miss f/n, I will see you tomorrow."
Again you bowed. "Yes" You thanked him and you and your parents were on your way back home. "I don't understand why you couldn't just leave me at home, I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself.." You crossed your arms. Displeased with the idea.
"F/n I'm afraid you don't understand that the Hyugas are very close acquaintances of ours. Its good to keep them close. Besides, you are not experienced enough to save yourself if someone was to come kidnap you. Your mother and I will be gone for nearly a year for this mission, if anyone we have enemies with catch wind you are by yourself who knows what will happen." You sighed and figured as much. There was no way of getting out of it.
NEJI'S POV
As uncle spoke with the friendly couple I observed the a girl who was there sitting quietly and patiently. I recall father knowing them for sometime but I never thought I would actually meet them. That family was notorious for being wealthy and strong and being acquainted with them was important. Whatever the case was, we were going to be living together. I'd rather not make bonds with someone like herself. Although.. she is sort of cute.
NORMAL POV- THE NEXT DAY
Birds chirped their joyful songs as you sat next to your window. Every morning you would draw or write of the beautiful view you had from the court yard garden. It brought you a piece of mind from the nightmares you would wake up from. Your family oracle claimed they were visions of some sort but you never believed in any of that stuff. The way that things were handled annoyed you. Not much of a fan of the whole wealthy scene. You sighed, yawning into the palm of your hand when your mother spoke through the door"F/n are you awake?" You walked to the rice paper door sliding it open, greeting the withered woman a good morning. For someone who seemed as sickly as she was, she was still a great ninja. Come to think of it you had no idea why your parents were leaving for such a long time. "Please get your things ready its almost time to go." Sliding the door closed your groaned, "maaaan this sucks." You took your time gathering your items, including your favorite kimono's, regular clothing and of course your journal and sketch book; also some other necessary items. The suitcase was a little large for you to carry so your father came in assisting you after you got dressed. You tied your h/l h/c back to get rid of the hair hiding your face.
-TIME SKIP-
Finally you arrived at the Hyuga's home. You climbed out of the carriage along your fathers side nervously walking towards Hiashi and a little boy you never met. You look back at you mother as he smile at you. Turning around You bowed quietly greeting them good morning. The man said nothing back. "Neji, please take miss l/n things and lead her to Hinata's room." Neji took the order with a nod and motioned for you to come a long. You gave your father a lasting hug with tears in your eyes.
"Do you have to go?" Your grip was nearly too tight for the man to handle. He gave you a look with his dark kind eyes. He knelt to the ground staring at you.
"F/n, I'm afraid I must. Never forget to count the days and write. Your mother and I will try and keep our good man Hiashi posted about our travels. We love you very much." He kissed your forehead and bowed off to Hiashi, Tears began to flood.
"Do not cry, show your parents you a strong woman." Your tears stopped and you choked them began with a nod; you bowed as the carriage went on its way. "Now let Neji show you to your room. I'm sorry we don't have a room of your own set up but in the mean time you can board with Hinata." You said nothing but okay and carried on a little faster following the boy named Neji.
He was sort of cute in your mind but seemed a little rude. "So, your name is Neji huh?" He looked back at you and glared. "Well my name is..."
"I know who you are, and frankly I don't care. The only reason why you're staying is because Hiashi is well acquainted with your parents." Damn was he ever rude. All you wanted to do was become friends. Crossing your arms you stuck out your tongue.
"Fine!" The two of you walked along side the middle of the house where there laid a dazzling garden, nearly as beautiful as yours. You stopped to examine the cherry blossom tree swaying in the middle; petals fluttered against the wind. You never had the chance to see a tree like this. Not one at full growth anyways. Neji stopped, a light pink tinted his face. He watched at how fascinated you were at the garden. But then he snapped out of it. Hinata tried getting his attention.
"Those must be her things, I'll take it from here N..Neji." Hinata's soft voice broke the silence also catching your attention. Neji said nothing and bowed to you leaving you in an awkward silence with the girl. "Miss l/n, I'm Hinata." She greeted herself standing next to you.
"What is it with you guys and the formalities. Its not like I'm actually royalty. Just call me f/n." You smiled sweetly, startling the shy girl. 'Wow...she is truly shy' "Should we get going? We're sort of standing here all quietly and awkward." With a nodded she motioned you to follow, helping you carrying your bag.
-NEJI'S POV-
Why is my heart beating so fast? I sat in the main room relaxing back my arms crossing behind my head. She doesn't seem like most girls, as far as rich and powerful families go anyways. F/n is so.. genuine and kind. Her future will be bright.
-NORMAL POV--TIME SKIP--
Its been three months and your parents had sent their first note. The scroll read that there has been no such luck looking for what they were looking for and they might take longer than expected. Then it went on explaining that you should be helping out even though there are maids to do all the chores and be sure you show your appreciation. They even explained you should join in the Hyuga's in training it could help you a lot. Naturally you wrote back explaining how much you've missed them and how bored you are. The best thing you thought of this place was that their garden was massive and the most fun you had was sitting there observing the nature. Hot tears blurred your vision as you continued to write, you were becoming homesick already. "H..hey f/n, I was wondering if you wanted to come watch Neji and I train." It was about time you got your own room too, it definitely was weird sharing a room with someone else.
"Yeah sure, just give me a minute. I'm just finishing up my note." You side wiping the tears from you face. You fixed yourself, rolled up the scroll and left the bedroom. Hinata stood there quietly waiting wearing the clothing she usually wore for training. She lead you down a hallway where Neji and Hiashi sat there patiently waiting. Hiashi patted a spot next to you surprising you with his action. You thought you were considered an outsider.
"I know it may seem like I'm shunning you but I promise you I'm not miss l/n. I'm only this way for Neji's sake. He's faces a terrible death of his father.... he's not very fond of someone whose not from the Hyuga family." Well that definitely explains a whole lot.
"O...oh...I understand I guess. I just wish he wouldn't shun me so much ya know?" You scratched the back of your head nervously as you watched the two beginning to face each other. You never seen that style of fighting. They moved swiftly and precisely. They were barely hitting each other. "That is amazing..." You stared at them in awe. Hinata struggled but Neji made it look like it was simple. Like how wind moves the grass, one graceful chain of movements.
"Us Hyuga's use a style called gentle fist." Hiashi began to explain everything about their lineage from their fighting style to the reason as to why Hizashi passed away. You were taken by surprised that Neji and Hinata were merely cousins but raised as brother and sister. And you felt sort of bad calling Neji cold for the way he treated you. It made a whole lot of sense as to the reason he acted the way he did. "That's enough, Hinata take a break. F/n why won't you try and give training a shot. I hear you are a student. I;m intrigued by what you can do." You head shot right towards Hiashi with a VERY loud...
"WHAT?! NO WAY!" You jumped from your seat in fear. "There is no way I could survive fighting Neji!" Hinata's jaw dropped shocked by the volume of your voice and at her father at that.
All he did was chuckle? "Haha, I mean you don't have to. It was just a suggestion. Unless you are afraid. I thought you being your fathers daughter you'd be a little bit more bold. But I guess I was wrong." He shrugged.
"I..I never said that...I don't have anything proper to train in right now and..."
"Tch, excuses." Neji's sassy voice broke the barrier; standing there with his arms crossed.
You gave a large sigh. You walked from the side of the room to the middle of the wooden floor. Taking a fighting stand position. You weren't all to great in taijutsu but your ninjutsu was fairly great for someone your age. The two of you were given the signal from then on.
-TIME SKIP-
Turned out-to everyone's surprise, that you were a great match to Neji. Neji's hands were on his knees as he gasped for air as you laid there groaning in pain. Luckily he skipped any vitals but definitely welted your body."I;m impressed miss l/n you are as your father said,"
"No kidding, she DOES have a bright future ahead of her." Neji stood up and looking in your direction. Is he finally warming up to you?
-LOL another time skip-
It was nearly 3 am when you woke up in a cold sweat. You dreamed again something fierce. It was about your mother. Lets be real here, you knew she was dying slowly. She had something that was incurable and that's why your parents left, to go find someone who carried something to cure her one way or another even subside the symptoms. She was so young yet she looked like she was 60, sometimes she couldn't move without crying out in pain. She was near to death, it was only in mere time. You hunched over your legs burying you face. "Why is this happening..." Sudden foots steps walked passed your room. Luckily for you your room was not far from the garden so you let yourself leave room. You wrapped yourself in a simple robe since it wasn't too cold outside and the lanterns were still lit on the tiny bridge that went over the coi pond. You took your journal with you. Walked towards to find another body standing there hanging over the railings. It was Neji?
"Can't sleep?" He spoke just keeping his focus on the rippling water.
"No, just a night terror." You explained,meekly taking a place by the boy. He seemed a little taken by it but let it slide. He was throwing something in the water, the fish would swim to eat where he threw what ever it was. Perhaps fish food?
"Aren't you a little old to have nightmares about monsters?" He didn't speak like he usually did in front of others. He acted sort of...normal.
"To tell you the truth, this fortuneteller told me that they were visions of soon to come events. I know it seems weird...but..."
"They're so real it could be real?" He looked at you sympathetically. "I mean I don't really get it, but I can believe it. I've read books about that sort of stuff. It usually holds a impact on someones life. Usually stress or worry causes this sort of thing. Is that why you're always writing or drawing? That is why you like immense gardens like this." He stared back down into the water. Did he know this all by observing. Frankly you were quiet shocked. You were also confused. In the beginning he wanted nothing to do with you but now he's getting real. You shook your mind out of a day dream and you guys spent the night talking about strange life phenomenons. You thought it was stupid he was all hung up on destiny but again. You really couldn't blame him for being the way he was.
-TIME SKIP-
It was over a year and you got another note. Again your parents still had no luck but you've been on their minds every single minute of every single day.They talked about the things they've seen though and that one day you could go see them. Again you wrote back saying you knew why they were out there. How betrayed you felt when they didn't tell you the truth. You found out on your own and to not blame anyone if they already knew what was happening. You also continued to talk about how much more you began to fit in and that Neji has warmed up to you immensely. It was a wondrous feeling. Regardless if they haven't spoken to you since
Ever since that night, every night before bed the two of you would sit out in the garden and discuss nearly everything. About your teams and the other kids you were in school with. Just anything really. Hiashi and Hinata watched as the two of you grew together.
You were beginning to get dressed when you heard the door slide open, it was Neji. Catching in the middle of sliding your shirt over your developed chest. Sure your were only 13, but that was no reason for him to not knock. "You perv!" You punched him square in the face sending him flying down the hall passing by Hinata, spooking her of course.
"Hey! It was by accident!" Neji stood up yelling back
"Well maybe if you would knock first we wouldn't be arguing!" You pouted crossing your arms. Shortly the two of you were at each other throats bickering back and forth, Hiashi stood next you both crossing his arms in disapproval.
"Neji, is that any way to treat a young woman and f/n is that any way to act like a lady?"The both of you said no in unison getting a laugh from Hiashi. "Its good to see you're getting along."
NEJI'S POV
Well wasn't that one hell of an awkward encounter. I never planned seeing a half naked woman before the age of at least 15... but this must be what being a teenage boy is suppose to be. I scratched the back of my head flipping through various magazines, These are nothing like seeing a woman in real life....
NORMAL POV
"Oh my God Hinata I'm so embarrassed." You groaned scarfing down a bowl of rice. The two of you sat there talking watching the small tb they had in the living room.
"I mean... isn't it to be expected. We are getting older..." Hinata took a bite of rice.
"Still..." You pouted again. You guys continued talking not only about the strange event but other stuff as well. You made your first friend with one the shyest girls in the universe. For some reason though she had opened up to you.
It was almost two years since your parents left to go find someone to cure this incurable disease. You waited outside the gates of the Hyuga house hold with Hiashi. Today was suppose to be the day to get any sign or news. Neji stood on the other side of you gripping your hand tightly. He felt you trembling with anxiety. A cart came racing down with the same horses carrying the same carriage with the same man inside. Your eyes filled with tears of joy, You were excited to see your mother and father again.. But there was just one problem. Your mother wasn't there. You thought they would have both come pick you up but she must be very ill and wanted to sleep in her own bed for a change. Your father stepped out and tried to manage a smile to see his grown daughter but there was no possible way he could. "Where's mother!? Is she at home?" Your fathers kind eyes were filled with sadness, weak and weary. The Hyugas' face dropped. They knew what had happened.
You didn't want to face the truth so you insisted on other things hoping they were true. "F/n, stop. We were too late. You mother....She passed away just after we passed the fire nation's border." He broke out in tears pulling you into his arms. You didn't want to hear it and you chose to ignore his words. instead you turned to stone and held your father there. Shocked, like it wasn't real. Like reality never hit you and you weren't sure how to react. Hiashi sent both of your friends inside. Standing there coldly, not saying a word. Minutes passed when the sobbing stopped. Large hands braced your slim shoulders and looked at you. "I'm so sorry f/n... You didn't even get to say goodbye" You felt your world crumble and you began crying, harder than ever before. Your knees gave out and you screamed. It was a cruel reality and everything slipped right out from under you. From the steps Neji and Hinata watched nearly feeling what you felt. Neji wanted to run out and caress you. But he knew that would be the wrong thing to do.
Then you stopped. You were a storm of emotions that stirred. You felt the wave of despair but another feeling over came you something that wasn't your own. Like someone touched your heart. "Father... She said... not to worry...."